Jeanette R. Poncelet

jeanette poncelet

May 4, 1932 ~ February 2, 2023

Born in: Red Wing, MN
Resided in: New Hampton, IA

Jeanette Poncelet passed peacefully at the Willows in Fredericksburg, Iowa. Her niece, Gayle Poncelet, and Hospice gently guiding Jeanette to her place in Heaven.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with Father Jim Goerend celebrating the mass.  There will be a  visitation at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass.  Online condolences may be left at www.conwaymarkham.com. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Jeanette held master’s degrees in educational psychology and nutrition. Jeanette was a lifelong educator. Her favorite students were first graders. After retiring from teaching, she became the Behavioral Consultant for the Fort Wayne Indiana Developmental Center, a residential center for persons with developmental and intellectual challenges.

Jeanette was an award winning gardener and teacher in the art and beauty of nature at her home in the Williams Woodland Neighborhood since moving from Chicago to her home in Fort Wayne in 1976.

Jeanette travelled to the Philippines to assist with funding and constructing fishponds providing a source food for the people.

Jeanette attended the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church of the in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Jeanette was presented with the Sertoma Award for Service to Mankind. In news articles the presenters stated, “Jeanette Poncelet was selected for this award due to her overall dedication to those in need.”

Jeanette will always be remembered as a beautiful soul. She provided food, shelter, transportation, education, and financial support for many who never knew her name.

Jeanette moved to Iowa in the late summer of 2022 to be close to her brother, Jerry Poncelet and his family.  She leaves many who just loved her because she lived her life in the essence of love.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her mother, Frances Poncelet and father, Joseph Poncelet. Two sisters, Ramona and Kay Poncelet her brother, Robert Poncelet who died in a plane crash in 1955.

Jeanette has nieces and nephews and a community of friends who think of her as family and hope to carry on her message of love and kindness.   Rest in peace our beautiful Friend. A life well lived through love.

A special thank you to Dr. Karen Evans, M.D. and Heartland Hospice of Fort Wayne Indiana, especially Bonnie Gerstrung, R.N.

Services

Visitation: February 8, 2023 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Holy Family Parish
202 N. Broadway
New Hampton, IA 50659

641-394-2105

Mass of Christian Burial: February 8, 2023 10:30 am

Holy Family Parish
202 N. Broadway
New Hampton, IA 50659

641-394-2105

Graveside: February 8, 2023 11:30 am

Calvary Cemetery - New Hampton
North Pleasant Hill Avenue
New Hampton, IA 50659

6413944331

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Light a CandleI miss you Jeanette,especially that outrageous sense of humor,that laugh that made ME laugh in response! And that you did so much good for others without expecting return. Your wit& humor are legendary!And your true belief in God.I KNOW you are at peace in Heaven,bless you my friend🙏🏻

    • Sue. You know Jeanette well. You and Jeanette lived across the street from each other for a long long time. You and Jeanette had wonderful political debates.

      • Light a CandleJeanette. Your ability to solve problems. Some simple, such as how to fix a scratch on the car, all the way to something profound, such as how to forgive and accept forgivenes and continue to love remains with me. You are an educator. Lucky me.
        Love, Rita

  2. Light a CandleMy dear and cherished friend for many, many years —- that’s my beautiful Jeanette !!!!! Her way of showing unconditional love and acceptance to everyone she met was inspirational and endearing. I cannot think of anybody else who had such a generous and kind spirit as our precious Jeanette…….she gave and gave and gave —- and never became empty. I shall miss such a powerful presence as our treasured friend, who is, I am sure, now resting peacefully in God’s loving and outstretched arms as His newest and BRIGHTEST ANGEL……….

    • Kathryn. You and Jeanette carry a beautiful spiritual life. You have an angel in heaven named Jeanette.

  3. Light a CandleHeaven has received another Angel. What an amazing woman! Every interaction was a teachable moment and you taught me so much! An incredible sense of wit & humor. Although I will miss seeing you, I am celebrating your Homecoming. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to meet you!
    Spread your wings and FLY!

    • Light a CandleKathryn. You are absolutely correct about Jeanette’s beautiful giving spirit. It is so nice to see those thoughts from her friend of many years.

      • Kathryn. You and Jeanette carry a beautiful spiritual life. You have an angel in heaven -Jeanette. She was thrilled that each year you remembered her birthday, Especially when she arrived at 90 years of a life well lived.

    • Angie. No doubt Jeanette has entered the Pearly Gates Thank you for you thoughts about Jeanette. She is a loving spirit.

  4. Light a CandleA beautiful inspiring soul is how I shall remember my friend. Of course heaven will receive her as she had such courage and faith that someday she would help care for the gardens. Her smile was as radiant as the sun. Humor was like a lightning strike that bolted you to laughter along with her. I so enjoyed our talks on her front porch where everyone knew her name. Oh the fun in that back yard where certain flowers just could not be pruned. I did not know her long but she will forever be in my heart.

    • You and Jeanette were a comedy team for over 10 years. You brought her much joy. The hours you both spent gardening created beautiful sights for our eyes.

  5. Rest gently in God’s arms our ‘Gette’.
    Our ‘Godmother’.
    Our light. Our inspiration. Our joy.
    We chose each other.
    We shared our lives.
    We carry your life lessons in our hearts…
    and into the world…
    Forever grateful to you our beloved!

  6. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you remember and celebrate Jeanette’s life. I am sorry that I will be out of town and will not be able to be with you.

  7. Light a CandleI worked with Jeanette for many years at the Fort Wayne State Developmental Center. We both worked in Ginsburg complex, she as a Behavior Clinician and I as a Registered Dietitian. I will always remember her sense of humor and laugh. Jeanette was quite a character and loved her job. We shared many moments and stories with each other. She was a good person, who really cared about the residents she served. I am thankful to have known her. Godspeed Jeanette.

  8. Angie. No doubt Jeanette has entered the Pearly Gates Thank you for you thoughts about Jeanette. She is a loving spirit.

  9. Light a CandleJeanette,

    I never met you, but you sold your house to my daughter. Thank you. We’re working on it now to get new wiring upstairs so the breakers don’t blow as you told Rita that they do. We’re also redoing the entire bathroom. And my daughter has repaired all the walls in the living room. I think that you’d appreciate all the improvements that are taking place and that will take place.

    I hear that you are a wonderful person and helped many people. I hope to meet you some day.

    John Schutt

    • Light a CandleThank you John. Jeanette would be so proud and happy with the renovation work you and your family are doing in the home she cherished for many years. There are wonderful memories created by Jeanette in the Webster home. May the blessings and love created there be with your daughter and family now.

  10. Light a CandleJeanette’s celebration of life on 02/02/23 in New Hampton Iowa was a beautiful tribute to her loving and giving spirit.
    Thank you to Jerry Poncelet, (Jeanette’s brother) and his family for planning and preparing the inspiring tribute. The Kobliska Family (Jeanette’s nieces and nephews) for their readings and being loving pall bearers

    Father Jim Goerend captured Jeanette’s essence in his eloquently spoken homily. It felt like he had known her forever.

    The musicians Ann Bennett and Kim Ball filled the church with glorious notes. The choice in music spoke to us about Jeanette’s life filled with generosity.

    The food was delicious. Gourmet selections of homemade desserts. It reminded us of Jeanette”s love of sweets. The food was prepared by members of the church.

    The funeral director, Ron, orchestrated the day seamlessly and celebrated Jeanette’s life with us.

    We love you Jeanette. And thank you for being our family also.

    Pam Datcher, Etta Datcher, Rita Polivick, (Jeanette’s Fort Wayne Indiana Family)

  11. Light a CandleJeanette. Your ability to solve problems. Some simple, such as how to fix a scratch on the car, all the way to something profound, such as how to forgive and accept forgivenes and continue to love remains with me. You are an educator. Lucky me.
    Love, Rita


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